Press Release
GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
As the result of an ongoing partnership with UWorld and the Department of Defense National Defense Education Programs (NDEP), Dr. John Yopp, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, announced that the Trustees of the Goldwater Board will be able to award 441 Goldwater scholarships to college students from across the United States for the 2025-2026 academic year. When these new awards are combined with the second year of support to 64 sophomores who received Goldwater scholarships in 2024, the total number will again be among the largest number of scholars ever supported in a single year. With the 2025 awards, the Goldwater Foundation has awarded 11,162 scholarships since 1989, the first year the scholarship was bestowed.
“The Department of Defense’s continued partnership with the Goldwater Foundation ensures we are supporting the development of scientific talent essential to maintaining our Nation’s competitive advantage,” said Dr. Jagadeesh Pamulapati, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology Foundations, who oversees the NDEP program.
“We are proud to remain the Goldwater Foundation’s sole private sector partner for the second year and support undergraduates interested in pursuing medical research careers,” said Chandra S. Pemmasani, M.D., founder and CEO of UWorld. “It is inspiring to see how the foundation continues to motivate students to grow in their education and pursue their professional goals.
From an estimated pool of over 5,000 college sophomores and juniors, 1,350 science, engineering, and mathematics students were nominated by 445 academic institutions to compete for the 2025 Goldwater scholarships. Of the students who reported, 203 of the Scholars are men, 222 are women, and virtually all intend to obtain a Ph.D. as their highest degree objective. Fifty Scholars intend to pursue research careers in mathematics and computer science, 240 in the sciences, 88 in medicine, and 63 in engineering and materials research.
Goldwater Scholars have gone on to win an impressive array of prestigious awards, becoming National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellows, NSF Graduate Research Fellows, Hertz Fellows, DOE Computational Science Graduate Fellows, Astronaut Scholars, Churchill Scholars, Marshall Scholars, and Rhodes Scholars.
The Goldwater Foundation is a federally endowed agency established by Public Law 99-661 on November 14, 1986. The Scholarship Program honoring Senator Barry Goldwater was designed to identify, encourage, and financially support outstanding undergraduates interested in pursuing research careers in the sciences, engineering, and mathematics. The Goldwater Scholarship is the preeminent undergraduate award of its type in these fields.
For further information, contact the Goldwater office at (703) 756-6012 or by email at goldwaterao@goldwaterscholarship.gov.
Please click here to view the table of 2025 Scholars
UWorld Grants Over $75,000 in Financial Support and Product Scholarships Through Its Barry Goldwater Partnership
Eight UWorld-supported Goldwater Scholars to receive up to $7,500 in financial support plus complimentary access to a comprehensive MCAT prep course and either USMLE® Step 1 or COMLEX® Level 1 resources
(DALLAS) March 28, 2025 – UWorld, a global leader in comprehensive academic and professional education, has awarded more than $75,000 in financial support and product scholarships to 84 recipients pursuing medical research careers through its partnership with The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation. Read more
The company’s philanthropic arm, UWorld Cares, is in its second year as the foundation’s sole private-sector partner. All M.D./Ph.D. and D.O./Ph.D. scholarship recipients will receive 90-day complimentary access to UWorld’s premier MCAT® QBank. Eight UWorld-supported Goldwater Scholars will also receive a complimentary upgrade to the 90-day MCAT Comprehensive Prep Course, access to either USMLE® Step 1 or COMLEX® Level 1 prep products, and up to $7,500 in financial support.
The UWorld-supported Goldwater Scholars are:
- Nneka Otuonye, a junior at Georgia State University, pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. in neuroscience with research interests in perinatology
- Anisa Cole, a junior at Prairie View A&M University, pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. in molecular biology and immunology with a research emphasis on oncogenic viruses
- Katherine Healzer, a junior at Stanford University, pursuing an interdisciplinary M.D./Ph.D. in molecular biology and ophthalmology with eye research interests in glaucoma-related blindness
- Arul Goel, a sophomore at the University of California, Santa Barbara, pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. in molecular biology with an emphasis on AI-driven oncology research
- Lacey Ngo, a junior and double major in biomedical engineering and nanomedicine at Virginia Tech, pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. in biomedical engineering and non-invasive therapeutics
- Genevieve Batman, a sophomore at the University of South Alabama, pursuing a D.O./Ph.D. in structural anatomy and rehabilitative sciences with a research focus on muscular injury in the performing arts
- Alvi Khan, an emergency medical technician and junior at Baruch College, pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. in neurobiology with research focused on the molecular basis of neuropsychiatric disorders
- Amaya Pablo, a junior at Northern Arizona University, pursuing an M.D./Ph.D. in cancer biology with research focused on health challenges in Native American communities
“We are proud to support the next generation of research leaders in STEM and provide our best-in-class resources to help them achieve their goals in pursuing a medical career and contributing to their fields,” said Dr. Chandra S. Pemmasani, UWorld's founder and CEO. “These scholars represent the next generation of medical research that will drive advancements in healthcare and improve patient outcomes for decades to come.”
UWorld’s Comprehensive MCAT Prep Course features eight interactive print and digital MCAT prep books, 4,000 end-of-lesson flashcard quiz questions, 600+ high-yield video lessons, a QBank with 3,000 MCAT-level questions, 4 AAMC® practice exams, an adaptive study planner, a customizable digital notebook, and real-time performance tracking tools.
“These students are receiving exceptional preparation as undergraduates by schools from all across the nation, and this partnership amplifies our commitment to helping them,” said John Yopp, Chair of the Goldwater Board of Trustees. “We look forward to seeing these students excel and improve the lives of individuals worldwide.”
About UWorld
UWorld is a global leader in comprehensive academic and professional education. Since its inception in 2003, the company has helped millions of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students prepare for high-stakes accounting, finance, graduate school, high school, legal, medical, nursing, and pharmacy exams, including the CPA, CMA®, CFA®, CMT®, MCAT®, SAT®, ACT®, AP®, MBE®, LLM, MPRE®, JD-Next™, UBE®, USMLE®, UKMLA®, COMLEX®, ABIM®, ABFM®, PANCE®, PANRE®, NCLEX®, FNP, NAPLEX®, MPJE®, and CPJE. UWorld’s high-quality courses, test questions and unrivaled answer explanations in digital and print formats make difficult subjects easy to understand. The company is committed to offering educators the most up-to-date resources that seamlessly integrate into existing curricula, actively engage students, provide real-time performance feedback, and exceed requirements for exam governing bodies. To learn more, visit UWorld.com.
About Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, established by Congress in 1986, serves as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman. The Goldwater Scholarship Program seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields. Over its nearly 40-year history, Goldwater scholarships have been awarded to over 11,000 undergraduates, many of whom have gone on to win other prestigious awards like the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, Churchill Scholarship, and the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. Today, Goldwater alumni working in academic, corporate, defense and national laboratories are finding cures for catastrophic diseases, defending the Nation, and teaching future generations of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.
Media Contact
Elizabeth Gleason
elizabeth.gleason@bursonglobal.com
469-978-3657
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The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate.
By providing scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering, the Goldwater Foundation is helping ensure that the U.S. is producing the number of highly-qualified professionals the Nation needs in these critical fields. Over its 30-year history, Goldwater Scholarships have been awarded to thousands of undergraduates, many of whom have gone on to win other prestigious awards like the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship, Churchill Scholarship and the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship that support our Scholars’ graduate school work. Today, Goldwater alumni can be found conducting research that is helping defend the Nation, finding cures for catastrophic diseases and teaching future generations of scientists, mathematicians and engineers.
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Warning
Please be aware that there is an ongoing scam with someone pretending to be the Barry Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in Education Foundation. The scammers are going by the “Barry Gold Scholarship” or “Barry Gold Grant Program”. They are sending fraudulent emails and checks to students. These emails and checks are NOT associated with the Barry Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in Education Foundation. We are a federal agency and only use our official .gov domain to communicate with our scholars. We suggest you report this fraudulent activity and ‘scholarship’ link to your university, report the email addresses as phishing, and report it to the proper authorities.
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The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation and UWorld Announce a Continuing Partnership that Provides the Goldwater Foundation with a $70,000 UWorld Grant and Product Scholarships
The ongoing partnership fosters the development of tomorrow’s next generation of medical science research leaders.
The Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation is pleased to continue its partnership with UWorld for a second year to support this nation's next generation of medical science research leaders.
"UWorld’s 2025 donation of over $70,000 in grants and product scholarships provided through its philanthropic arm, UWorld Cares, helps ensure that additional students can pursue their M.D./Ph.D. research career dreams and that the nation will have the research talent it needs to compete globally,” said Dr. John Yopp, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.Read more
UWorld's donation gives best-in-class resources for the 2025 cohort of Goldwater Scholars. As part of the ongoing partnership, UWorld will provide some Goldwater Scholars pursuing a M.D./Ph.D. access to its MCAT QBank and newly released MCAT UBooks, which include six print and digital MCAT science review books with high-impact visuals and two annotated CARS review books. Eight Goldwater Scholars will also receive access to UWorld's USMLE Step 1 QBank. These resources will assist scholars as they prepare for their graduate school entrance and professional licensure exams that serve as crucial checkpoints for their future success.
"Investing in these talented individuals is a critical investment in the future of STEM," said Dr. Chandra S. Pemmasani, UWorld's founder and CEO. "We believe our support of Goldwater Scholars will help them achieve their goals in pursuing a medical research career and significantly contribute to their fields."
For over 38 years, the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation has fostered the development of future research leaders in science, engineering, and mathematics by identifying, encouraging, and financial supporting exceptional college sophomores and juniors. The foundation has awarded nearly 11,000 scholarships, providing crucial financial assistance to promising young talent in these fields, with many Goldwater Scholars going on to earn prestigious awards like the Rhodes Scholarship, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, Astronaut Scholarship, and National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship and ultimately pursuing PhDs.
Since initially partnering with the Foundation, UWorld Cares has provided $140,000 in grants and product scholarships to support Goldwater scholars. The partnership underscores UWorld's commitment to driving success in education by investing in the communities it serves through its company-wide philanthropic efforts. Since 2020, UWorld has provided $12.8 million in product scholarships, facilitated over 2,200 employee volunteer hours and generated over $500,000 in combined company and employee donations. Through these efforts, the company has collectively served over 100,000 youth in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
To read more about The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation's history supporting outstanding scholars, visit: https://goldwaterscholarship.gov/history-of-supporting-outstanding-scholars/.
To read more about UWorld Cares and their impact, visit: UWorld.com/UWorldCares.
About Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, established by Congress in 1986, serves as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of Senator Barry Goldwater, a soldier and statesman who served his country for 56 years. The Goldwater scholarship program seeks to identify, encourage, and financially support college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming this Nation’s next generation of research leaders in these fields. Today, Goldwater alumni can be found conducting research in this Nation’s academic, corporate, and national laboratories finding cures for catastrophic diseases, defending the Nation, and teaching future generations of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.
About UWorld
UWorld is a global leader in academic and professional education. Since its inception in 2003, the company has helped millions of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students prepare for high-stakes accounting, finance, graduate school, high school, legal, medical, nursing, and pharmacy exams including the CPA®, CMA®, CIA, CFA®, CMT®, MCAT®, SAT®, ACT®, AP®, MBE®, LLM, MPRE®, JD-Next, UBE®, USMLE®, UKMLA®, COMLEX®, ABIM®, ABFM®, PANCE®/PANRE®, NCLEX®, FNP, NAPLEX®, MPJE®, and CPJE. UWorld’s high-quality test questions and unrivaled answer explanations in digital and print formats make difficult subjects easy to understand for students. The company is committed to offering educators the most up-to-date resources that seamlessly integrate into existing curricula, actively engage students, provide real-time performance feedback, and exceed requirements for exam governing bodies. To learn more, visit UWorld.com.
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Important Dates
FIRST TUESDAY IN SEPTEMBER: Online Application Opens
EARLY SEPTEMBER TO LATE JANUARY: Individual internal campus deadlines
LAST FRIDAY IN JANUARY: Nomination deadline (5:00 PM CT)
LATE FEBRUARY: Nomination packets reviewed
MID-MARCH: Board of Trustees vote on Scholars
LAST FRIDAY IN MARCH: Scholars/Honorable Mentions Announced (11:00 AM Central Time)
College Matters. Alma Matters. June 3rd Podcast
Episode summary introduction: Set up in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater’s distinguished public service, the Scholarship promotes undergraduate research by awarding scholarships to students. In this podcast, John gives us an overview of The Barry Goldwater Scholarship, How Students can Apply, What they look for in their Scholars, and Advice for High Schoolers.